When I was in nursing school, our instructors taught us good body mechanics, techniques to keep us from straining our backs. I put their teaching into practice when turning and lifting patients while working in ICU and never had any back problems.
Fast forward forty years. My elderly mother-in-law moved in with us but was still able to get around well. She required some help dressing but could do most things on her own until it came to bathing. In assisting her, I remembered my body mechanic methods—most of the time. When I didn’t, my no-longer-young back reminded me. Still, strained muscles had time to recover between baths.
Then twelve days after my mother-in-law turned 100, she had a heart attack. She became weaker and weaker, and my husband and I had to do more and more to help her from bed to chair to bedside commode and back to bed. Soon, she deteriorated to the point that she was bedbound, unable even to turn herself. For weeks, I was often up with her in the middle of the night. At four in the morning, body mechanics were the last thing on my mind. Unfortunately, I joined the ranks of caregivers who said, “Oh, my aching back!” due to incorrect lifting and pulling.
If back pain has become your constant caregiving companion, try these simple methods to give your back a break:
- Snatch a short nap during the day to give your muscles a chance to rest. (It won’t hurt to catch up on some lost sleep, too!)
- Take time to stretch out flat on your back on a bed (or mat/etc) and lie with arms raised above your head.
- Do mild bending or stretching exercises during the day to relieve muscle stress.
In my next post, I’ll share equipment, tutorials, and tips to lessen back pain.
For you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
1Corinthians 6:20
Tracy Crump dispenses hope in her award-winning book, Health, Healing, and Wholeness: Devotions of Hope in the Midst of Illness (CrossLink Publishing, 2021). A former intensive care nurse, she cared for her parents and her mother-in-law and understands both the burdens and joys of caregiving. Her devotions have been featured in Guideposts books, The Upper Room, and many other publications, and she has contributed 22 stories to Chicken Soup for the Soul® books. She also conducts writing workshops, freelance edits, and proofreads for Farmers’ Almanac. But her most important job is Grandma to five completely unspoiled grandchildren.
Good, practical advice! I injured my back when caring for disabled adults when I was in my 20s. It’s never been very good since. I was careless, even though I knew what to do and what not to do. So it’s good you share this with others so they can avoid hurting themselves.
Back pain is no fun. I’m so sorry!
Great ideas!
Thank you, Janis. Sometimes it’s the simple things that help the most!
I did not think about hands above my head when lying flat. Thanks for the tip.
You’re welcome, Diana! A change in position can often make a big difference.
Great advice! Thanks!
You’re welcome, Joyce! Sometimes simple things can help.